2000–2024: Laying Groundwork for the Future

The turn of the millennium marked a period of intense change and expansion for Texas State University. From its humble beginnings in 1899 to its evolution as a research institution under the Carnegie Foundation’s respected classification system in the 2010s, Texas State’s continual commitment to meeting the changing needs of its students, staff, faculty, and the broader community meant a renewed focus on advancing research, enhancing academic programs, and working diligently to foster a welcoming campus environment.

As we delve into the latest historical era of Texas State University, we bear witness to the construction of state-of-the-art facilities, the launching of groundbreaking research initiatives and projects, the emergence of pioneering leaders, record-breaking semesters, and the solidification of the university as one of the largest and leading institutions of higher education in Texas.

Boundaries have been pushed. Change has been embraced. And the legacy of tomorrow grows stronger with each passing year.

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Texas State Achieves Academically

There has yet to be a moment in time when Texas State has not made tremendous advancements academically; the 2000s and 2010s were no different.  

The stage was set for an exhilarating era in 2000 when the first Texas State doctorates were conferred to Dr. Todd Votteler and Dr. Lisa DeChano. The two became the first graduates of the environmental geography doctoral program after successfully defending their dissertations.

Dr. Votteler became a fellow of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and taught graduate and undergraduate courses on a variety of water topics in the departments of Biology and Geography throughout the 2000s and 2010s. Dr. DeChano became a professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Tourism at Western Michigan University.

A smiling man and woman wearing a graduation cap and gown shake hands. Behind them is a tapestry embellished with a "Southwest Texas State University" seal.
Dr. Todd Votteler and Dr. Lisa DeChano

In 2003, with the support of the student government, the Texas legislature would change Southwest Texas State University to Texas State University-San Marcos to reflect its mission of playing a critical role in statewide higher education and research. The university would once again get a new name 10 years later, when the “-San Marcos” was removed to leave Texas State University to stand on its own.

Though both instances initially came with some resistance, ultimately, the name changes helped to highlight Texas State’s growth from a regional institution into nationally recognized public university.

A blue, circular seal is superimposed on top of a lanadscape scene. The seal says "Seal of Excelencia -- Intentionally Serving Latinos -- Excelencia in Education 2022-2025". The background scene shows a pond with a fountain in front of a building on a sunny day.
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In 2011, Texas State achieved Hispanic-Serving Institution status after becoming eligible the previous year. This designation is achieved by higher education institutions when enrollment of undergraduate full-time students is at least 25% Hispanic/Latinx and not less than 50% of students who demonstrate financial need.

With 41% Hispanic enrollment and over 26,000 degrees awarded to Hispanic/Latinx students since 2013, the recognition highlights Texas State’s dedication to ensuring enhanced academic offerings, programs, support, and authentic cultural alignment for all students.

Alongside Texas State’s HSI status, our institution has also been awarded the Seal of Excelencia for demonstrating through data, evidence-based practices, and leadership, how it intentionally serves Latino students.

These honors are testimony to Texas State’s efforts to sustaining enrollment that continues to reflect the changing face of Texas.

Additionally, a slew of new undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs tailored to meet the demands of the 21st century were developed to help adequately prepare Bobcats for success in our dynamic world.

Committed to Research

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In 2012, Texas State would, through strategic and rigorous research activities and development of Ph.D. programs, become classified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as an Emerging Research University. The title is conferred to institutions that meet a number of criteria including offering a wide range of undergraduate and master’s degree programs, serving a regional and national student population, commitment to doctoral education, and having research expenditures of at least $14 million per year, among other standards.

This initial classification also provided Texas State with access to the Texas Research Incentive Program, a limited pool of state funds geared toward enhancing research and faculty recruitment at eligible institutions.

“This is a very important moment for Texas State University. It reflects an enormous amount of work undertaken and accomplished by so many people. It is the start of a new era for our university.”  

 

– Dr. Denise Trauth, former Texas State President

The momentum continued into 2016 when Texas State earned the R2 designation from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, placing us under “Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity,” the second-highest designation for research institutions in the country under the highly respected classification system.

World-class research and scholarly activities at Texas State that help to address real-world issues contributed to this reclassification. As a major center of education in the Texas Innovation Corridor, Texas State’s efforts to build and leverage existing research centers are essential for sustainable economic growth and natural resource usage.

Of the approximately 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States, the Carnegie Foundation has recognized less than 150 of these institutions as having “very high research activity” — a classification known as Research-1 (R1). Today, Texas State remains committed to obtaining an R1 designation by 2027.

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Texas State Opens New Centers for Research

Always striving to remain at the forefront of innovation and research, Texas State University has opened a number of research centers throughout the 21st century to help foster strategic university initiatives. From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration and providing faculty access to advanced technology, Texas State has worked diligently to foster a culture of creativity and discovery across a wide range of fields.  

Authorized by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001, the Texas School Safety Center was established to help schools and communities create safe, secure, and healthy environments. The center continues to be a central location for school safety information and provides schools with research, training, and technical support to help reduce youth violence and promote school safety. The center also helps schools create and improve emergency operation plans. 

Established in 2002 as a partnership between Texas State, the San Marcos Police Department, and Hays County Sheriff’s Office to address the need for active shooter response training for first responders, the multimillion-dollar Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center has helped to make tremendous strides nationally in providing the best in research-based preparation.

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Since its inception, ALERRT has successfully trained nearly 304,000 state, local, national, and tribal first responders and approximately 250,000 law enforcement agents, at no cost to the agencies. As a result of its efforts and establishment of a criminal justice research department in improving law enforcement best practices, the FBI named the ALERRT Center at Texas State as the National Standard in Active Shooter Response Training.

Though Aquarena Springs was originally acquired by Texas State in 1994, it wouldn’t be until the 2002, with support from the Meadows Foundation and the Houston Endowment, that Texas State would establish the International Institute for Sustainable Water Resources in 2002 and then the Rivers Systems Institute in 2004.

Two smiling women wearing red skirt suits hold up a placard and are flanked on either side by several men in suits. The placard says "The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment -- Texas State University".
The Meadows Center breaks ground, 2012

Finally, in 2012, as the result of a generous $10 million contribution from The Meadows Foundation, the Rivers Systems Institute is renamed The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Created to inspire research, innovation, and leadership that ensures clean, abundant water for the environment and all humanity, there was also substantial efforts made for habitat restoration and environmental enhancement of the Spring Lake area.

Two scuba divers carrying equipment are surrounded by vibrant, blue water.
A man in a blue T-shirt leads a group of onlookers over a boardwalk. On either side is water covered in lilypads, which captures the attention of the onlookers. In the background trees can be seen.
A man in casual dress with sunglasses on top of his cap holds a mesh tube with several turtles inside while several people survey. In the background, a river can be seen.
Close up shot of two young girls smiling and looking at an aquarium.

With its mission of integrating activities across four pillars of action that include research, leadership, education, and stewardship, the Meadows Center has made a real impact:

  • 1,504,527 visitors to Spring Lake since 2006
  • 1,255 students supported/employed by our research and education projects since 2002
  • 488,052 children and university students engaged in outdoor learning at Spring Lake since 2006
  • 158,196 m2 of non-native species removed from Spring Lake and the San Marcos River since 2013

The Forensic Anthropology Research Facility, a 26-acre outdoor human decomposition laboratory at Freeman Ranch, became the largest forensic science facility of its kind in the world. Established in 2008, the research center is used to train forensic anthropology students, law enforcement, and medicolegal personnel in methods for searching and recovering human remains in a medicolegal context.

The first facility dedicated to the university’s research and commercialization efforts, the Science, Technology, and Advanced Research (STAR) Park opened in 2012 right in the heart of the Texas Innovation Corridor – San Marcos.

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Designed as an essential hub for innovative, entrepreneurial, and commercial activity for Central Texas, the center for research began construction in 2011, and has undergone expansions to its 58-acre site, including the growth of the STAR One technology incubator program for start-up and early-stage businesses. In 2023, TXST broke ground on STAR Two, a second incubator on the site. 

To accelerate the transfer of new knowledge and discoveries essential to addressing medical needs and improving health outcomes in Texas and throughout the nation, Texas State developed the Translational Health Research Initiative in 2016. Facilitating exceptional health research and cross-disciplinary programs, the program’s success led to the initiative being elevated to a university-level research center in 2020.

Awarded two substantial grants that helped launch its programs and activities, the Translational Health Research Center’s mission is to find new ways to prevent and treat diseases, develop resilient communities, deliver high quality healthcare, and address social and economic health inequities that lead to poor health among underserviced populations.

Building the Next Phase of Texas State

The 21st century witnessed a flurry of construction activity across Texas State as the university modernized its facilities, grew to accommodate the booming student population, and equipped buildings across campus with the latest technology to meet the institution’s vision for the future.

With the student population growing and an increasing demand for healthcare services needed to enhance access to affordable medical resources, the 25,500-square-foot Student Health Center was constructed, opening up in 2004. Double the size of the previous facility, the new Texas State Health Center offered a laboratory, X-ray and pharmacy services on-site, nutritional consultation services, an online appointment system, and other new technology. With the previous center having served more than 47,000 patients a year, the new Student Health Center was a welcome addition to the San Marcos Campus.

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Bruce and Gloria Ingram Hall
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Engineering students
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Performing Arts Center

In 2008, Bruce and Gloria Ingram donated $5 million to establish the Ingram School of Engineering, which would lead to the construction of Ingram Hall in 2018. With more than 166,000 square feet of space spread over five floors, Ingram Hall was one of the largest projects in Texas State history, and provided space for the electrical engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, biology, computer science, mathematics, and physics programs to grow. Also featuring a campus-accessible makerspace, the Texas State community now has access to large and small 3D printers, laser cutters and engravers, metal and plastic mills, a larger water jet table, and equipment to enable the recycling of 3D printer waste.

Serving the next generation of highly skilled, diverse, and motivated individuals working toward innovation that can improve society, the development of Ingram Hall was a much-needed addition that further helped to propel Texas State into the 21st century.

In 2014, Texas State dedicated a new $40.9 million Performing Arts Center. At over 69,000 square feet, featuring a 397-seat mainstage Patti Strickel Harrison Theatre, 312-seat recital hall, classrooms, rehearsal studios, faculty offices, and theater production studios, the center was critical to providing modern theatre amenities to the well-deserving and frequently recognized theatre, dance, and music programs.

Further embodying a legacy of tomorrow, the $10 million film and television building, Live Oak Hall, was constructed. Serving approximately 600 students and faculty from the College of Fine Arts and Communication, the 10,291-square-foot building featuring a film sound stage with green screen technology, TV studio, recording mix classroom, editing lab, Foley room, and offices, opened in 2022.

Large, square building with rounded arches. The building is tan in color and has large, maroon banners on the left-hand side. The upper right corner says "Live Oak Hall".
Live Oak Hall

Live Oak Hall was developed to account for the fantastic growth of the Department of Theatre and Dance. With theatre enrollment increasing 53% over the course of five years, the new facilities were needed to meet the growing demand for the film concentration, while also providing the School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a dedicated television studio for the first time ever.

While there was substantial construction on Texas State’s San Marcos Campus throughout the early 2000s and decades that followed, the Round Rock community also welcomed extensive growth.

Avery Family Helps Create Texas State Round Rock Campus

With the original Texas State Round Rock facilities reaching full capacity by the early 2000s, the need for more space and facilities for students quickly arose. And just as the need arose, a Bobcat family showed exactly why our community is so special. In 2003, the philanthropic Avery family donated 101 acres of land off Chandler Road in Round Rock for the creation of a permanent Texas State campus in the region – the donation was valued at $2.85 million.

Ground was broken on the new campus on March 22, 2004, for the construction of the 125,000-square-foot Avery Building. In 2005, the Round Rock Campus’s first permanent facility opened its doors to students. The Avery Building now houses classrooms, research laboratories, offices, a testing center, and a number of other student services.

A stone and metal signs says "Texas State University -- Round Rock Campus". Behind it, an imposing stone building is awash in the light of dusk.
The Avery Building

In 2010, the Round Rock Campus opened its nearly 77,570-square-foot, three-story Nursing Building with Texas State’s St. David’s School of Nursing admitting its first class of junior-level nursing majors in the fall of 2010. This was followed by the Willow Hall health professions building in 2016 and opening of the Campus Services Building in 2021, which houses Facility Services, Parking Services, and the University Police Department offices for the Texas State Round Rock Campus.

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The campus’s community impact has also been consequential; Texas State Round Rock offers a range of services and communal support via a number of centers, including the Texas State Physical Therapy Clinic, Ascension Seton Williamson Sleep Center, Texas State Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, and Community Counseling and Wellness Center.

The Texas State Round Rock Campus has since grown to include six permanent structures, including a Student Health Center, and is home to nearly 2,000 Bobcats who can choose from a wide variety of majors including 16 bachelor’s degrees and 24 graduate programs. An additional 11 new academic programs are set to be launched in the 2024 fall semester.

One of a Kind: Dr. Denise M. Trauth

Texas State history would be made in 2002 when, after six months of work by a search committee and unanimous vote by the TSUS Board of Regents, Dr. Denise M. Trauth assumed the role of president, becoming the university’s first female president. With a distinguished career in academia and a deep commitment to higher education, Dr. Trauth brought a wealth of experience after a stint as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Under her leadership, Texas State would prosper tremendously, earning designation as a Texas Emerging Research University, and then being reclassified as an R2: Doctoral University – Higher Research Activity under the Carnegie Classification system. The university would also emerge as a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, which led to the university receiving over $48.7 million in awards from HSI-targeted programs to improve support for thousands of students.

A woman wearing a blazer smiles, her arm wrapped around a person in a bobcat mascot costume. The costume is emblazoned with "Texas State".
2009
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2021
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2011

Additionally, President Trauth would lead the largest construction efforts at both the Texas State San Marcos and Round Rock campuses since the inception of the university, while also adding 80 academic programs under her keen guidance.  

Alongside this unprecedented transformation institutional enrollment increased by almost 50%, the student population exceeded 38,000, research and development expenditures and funding grew to record-breaking levels, and the university's athletic programs moved to the FBS subdivision of the NCAA Division I.

As the first female president of Texas State, President Trauth’s 20 years of unrelenting service and exceptional progress cemented her legacy as an inspiration for all future university leaders. Retiring in 2022, Texas State would rename the Undergraduate Academic Center on the San Marcos Campus in dedication to the Denise M. Trauth and John L. Huffman Hall.

Bobcat Build Begins & TXST Spirit Grows

The 2000s saw the development of numerous Texas State community-based events and new student programs intended to enhance the Bobcat spirit and understanding of the university’s history and legacy while also bringing the institutional community into closer contact with the city it calls home.

In 2003, Bobcat Build, now known as the Big Event, began. One of the most widely recognized Texas State traditions and largest service projects, Bobcat Build was created as a means to say, “thank you,” while creating a critical connection with the surrounding community.

Having grown from 700 volunteers working at 50 jobsites to more than 3,000 volunteers at 300 locations, Bobcats join together on this unique day to volunteer their time and effort to service projects at homes, schools, parks, churches, and neighborhoods throughout Hays County.

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Bobcat Build begins
A crowd of several hundred people pose on a lawn, campus buildings and water tower behind them. Many of them clustered in matching outfits, holding aloft signs denoting Greek letters.
Bobcat Build, 2024

Another critical initiative that emerged during the 2000s was the Common Experience. From 2004 until 2023, the program provided distinct experiences for the Texas State community via 200-300 engaging events each year. As part of the Common Experience, all incoming first-year students also received a critically acclaimed book related to the year’s theme via a program known as the Common Reading.

Cat Camp was another critical initiative that helped to promote the Bobcat spirit. Founded in 2009 and beginning with 215 new students, Cat Camp is an extended orientation program that assists in preparing new students for their first year at Texas State. Attendees learn all about the university’s history and traditions, create connections between new and current students, and leave with an understanding of all that’s available to them as Bobcats.

Close up shot with a lens flare of a group of cheering young people. They all wear maroon school spirit T-shirts and some have face paint.
Cat Camp in 2022

Athletics: A Legacy of Winning

After 40 years of winning, including nine conference and 11 tournament championships, volleyball head coach Karen Chisum retired in 2022. A trailblazer and legendary Bobcat community member, Coach Chisum guided the team to a 919-559-3 all-time record, making her the third NCAA Division I coach to reach 900 wins, and the fourth all-time to do it at one university.

Alongside her exceptional winning record, Chisum would also garner eight Coach of the Year awards, a Texas State Distinguished Alumni award, and became the first female to be accepted for membership in the “T” Association’s Hall of Honor.

Chisum’s life as a Bobcat began in 1968 when she entered Texas State as a freshman, playing on both the university’s softball and tennis teams. After graduating from Texas State in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in education, Chisum would begin her coaching career as an assistant coach in 1978 before being named head coach in 1980.

During her tenure, women’s volleyball conference titles would include:

  • Sun Belt: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2013
  • Southland: 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2000
A group of young men in football uniforms pose confidently on a dark football field, holding a sign that reads "2023 champions".
Winning the bowl game in 2023
An older woman with a shock of white hair is surrounded by emotive young women in maroon uniforms.
Karen Chisum with the volleyball team in 2018

Texas State athletics excelled across the board throughout this era. Conference championships for 2000-2023 includes:

  • Softball: 2018, 2008-2012
  • Baseball: 2022, 2019, 2009-2011, 2000
  • Women’s Indoor Track & Field: 2017-2019, 2015, 2013, 2002-2004
  • Women’s Outdoor Track & Field: 2018, 2017, 2013, 2007, 2004, 2002
  • Men’s Indoor Track & Field: 2002-2004, 2016
  • Men’s Outdoor Track & Field: 2019, 2013, 2004, 2003, 2000
  • Women’s Cross Country: 2017
  • Women’s Soccer: 2018, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2002, 2001
  • Women’s Golf: 2016, 2010, 2008, 2002
  • Women’s Basketball: 2023, 2008, 2003
  • Men’s Basketball: 2022, 2021

In 2023, Texas State football would forge its 21st century legacy by attending – and winning – its first bowl game ever, dominating Rice University 45-21. Playing at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, 26,542 spectators witnessed one of the most momentous victories in Texas State football history.  

Success During Troubling Times

The emergence of COVID-19 in early 2020 sent unprecedented shockwaves across the globe. Life changed for everyone, especially college students who were in the middle of their spring semester.

The disruption to the expected way of life caused by the rapid spread of the pandemic had a devastating impact on public health and left Bobcats in a world marked by isolation and uncertainty. In the midst of this chaos and troubling times, Texas State sought to become the standard for resilience and adaptability with faculty and staff working tirelessly to support students through the transition to remote learning.

In the spring of 2020, for the first time in the university’s history, all classes were moved online, and all face-to-face activities were canceled. This challenging but extremely significant change required a multifaceted approach that meant meeting students where they were; lectures, seminars, and laboratory courses were all redesigned to be effectively conducted remotely. A wide variety of online tools were made available to students, including virtual conferencing, conference calls, and chat rooms made specifically to serve classroom needs.

A girl in a graduation cap and gown and cheetah print face mask holds her diploma on a football field. Rows of seated graduates can be seen behind her.
Commencement held outside
A mother and daughter, both wearing face masks, stand together on a sidewalk in front of storage tubs of one's belongings.
Move-in during the pandemic

Alongside their academic needs, Texas State personnel worked diligently to offer as much additional student support as possible including emergency funding assistance, such as Bobcat Cares, which provided $78 million in relief to an estimated 38,837 Bobcats. Furthermore, divisions and offices worked in unison to provide food resources to students who could not afford dining services on campus. There was also a major push for student health services that met the physical, emotional, and mental needs of students.

To better manage an evolving pandemic when students did return to campus, there were substantial testing and reporting efforts made to protect all community members. Free testing was made available at Texas State while the Bobcat Trace system helped to keep all parties informed about the rates of incidence on the San Marcos and Round Rock campuses. Resources were also made readily available online to provide the Bobcat community with frequently updated information about COVID-19.

Despite the immensity of the pandemic, Texas State demonstrated remarkable compassion and care in response to the crisis, prioritizing the health and well-being of all community members alike. Of course, Texas State students showed their tenacity in the face of such adversity, successfully continuing and completing their educational journeys while they faced a whole new world.

The Legacy of Tomorrow Begins Today

As we reflect on the rich history of our university’s 125-year journey, we must always remember the countless Bobcats who contributed to Texas State’s enduring history. From our founders to pioneering faculty and barrier-breaking students, we are reminded of all those who came before and the milestones and achievements that shaped our history. We must also remain inspired to light the path for those who will come next. Together, we emerge and learn from the brilliant 125 years of history of our beloved university and join in commitment to creating a glorious next chapter that will be filled with as much growth, energy, beauty, and success as the one that came before.

A photo of the back of a seated girl with long hair. She wears a graduation gown and cap. The cap is bedazzled with "Texas State" on top of it.